Car sales high in East Dundee

Although one of the biggest auto dealers in East Dundee was forced to close its doors because of a decision from the dealer group, the village and the dealer reaped some benefits from the auto buyers incentive program.

The final numbers are in and the program was a success. In total, the six dealerships that participated sold 200 vehicles combined for total sales of almost $3.4 million. Not too bad for a program that lasted just over two months. The program gave buyers of new vehicles four $25 gas certificates, while the buyers of used vehicles worth more than $5,000 received $50 worth of gas certificates. The certificates are redeemable until Jan. 1 at the village's two gas stations: the Shell Station at 160 South Dundee Ave., and the Citgo station at 1097 East Main St.

The dealerships recorded the following sales: Al Piemonte, 40 cars; Spring Hill Ford, 108; Luxor Motors, 9; Miro Motors, 7; Saturn of Dundee, 11; and Superior Car Credit, 24.

East Dundee officials said the program enabled the village to get free publicity for the dealerships through press coverage and encouraged those from out of town who purchased a vehicle to return to East Dundee in order to redeem their gas certificates. With gas nearing $3/gallon once again, $100 worth of gas could certainly come in handy. In some cases, the incentive could have given potential car buyers who were on the fence that last little nudge to buy a vehicle. The program was funded by additional revenue generated at the business development district along Route 25.

That wasn't enough, however, to reverse the fate of the Saturn dealer at 750 Dundee Avenue. That store closed in late August.

Property tax clinics: The Kane County Board of Review will continue its free property tax clinics for homeowners in the county.

The sessions are held at 6 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of the month. The next session is Tuesday, Nov. 10 in the auditorium of Building A at the Kane County Government Center Campus, 719 S. Batavia Ave (Route 31) in Geneva. The sessions run through Dec. 15.

The purpose of the free clinics is to help homeowners and tax payers how the property tax system works, including recent changes to the law, dispel myths about taxes and assessments; explain the appeal process and provide the necessary forms to allow homeowners to file an appeal.

Experts will also ensure property owners receive the homestead exemptions to which they are entitled.

• Larissa Chinwah covers Carpentersville and East and West Dundee.